American Idol: The top 24 takes shape

We’re almost to the end. Just so we can begin again. TOP 24, Y’ALL. Finally.

Each contestant is backed by one instrument during their final performance. Then, the long walk to the judges. (Get ready to see some faces we haven’t seen yet.) What is that set? Did Tyra Banks design this? The contestants should totally have to get there via hamster wheel.

Jen Hirsh: An early favorite, this seems pretty obvious. She’s good but has plenty of room to improve — key for Idol success. Her final performance — Aretha Franklin’s Baby, I Love You — wasn’t spectacular. A bit shrieky, in fact. But still. TOP 24.

Creighton Fraker: I didn’t love this guy in the beginning, but he grew on me with each performance. New York State of Mind isn’t the most original choice, but it was good enough. I just really think he needs to shave. And sleep. And get a haircut. TOP 24.

“Like downtown New York — but Midwest,” Jennifer Lopez says. Um, OK.

Lauren Gray: She’s been SO LOUD so often, but I thought she was great during the Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? group performance and I Would Rather Go Blind, her final solo number. Mostly because she reigned it in. But it’s not gonna happen this year. Sadface, sort of.

WHY IS RANDY JACKSON WEARING SUCH A HUGE WHITE WATCH.

Joshua Ledet: Easily one of the best male voices in the competition. His performances have been powerful, and his Jar of Hearts blew me away. AWAY. There’s something in Joshua’s voice that feels like it’s coming from deep down in his soul. A ridiculously easy decision. TOP 24.

A pair of rejections. WHO EVEN ARE THESE GIRLS. Naomi? Blair? Nice to see you, briefly.

Haley Johnsen: This girl barely registers with me. I’m afraid she’s one of the blond fillers we get every year during semifinals, positioned to fall out of the way and let others shine. Never to be heard from again. TOP 24.

Neco Starr: A sweet Michael Jackson oldie for his final solo performance. LEATHER SHIRT POCKETS. PATRIOTIC LEGGINGS. It’s all so wrong that I sort of love it. And the right name, too. But he doesn’t make it.

Another succession of no’s for guys we barely saw over the last several weeks.

Elise Testone: She sparked for me earlier, and her final solo — It’s a Man’s World — is solid. I just hope she’ll be able to stand out from the crowd. TOP 24.

Reed Grimm: I fear Taylor Hicks-size annoyance if Reed makes the top 10. And I’m so, so tired of the word “quirky.” WHY CAN’T YOU JUST BE NORMAL. And calm down, already. TOP 24.

Ericka Van Pelt: I like the rasp and the husky tones. It just doesn’t sound very modern. And her final Adele song — NO. NO NO. That did not sound good. But she gets a reprieve. TOP 24.

Chelsea Sorrell: Cute, country and lots of potential. I think I might like this girl. And she sounded lovely on Randy Travis tune I Told You So. TOP 24.

Baylie Brown: Krum native Bailey is gorgeous and obviously talented. I just hope she truly breaks out of her box and pushes herself as the competition progresses. Because I think — think — she can be great. TOP 24.

Richie Law: So long, cowboy.

Heejun Han: This is obvious, right? An early favorite who’s funny and has a surprisingly soulful voice. Great TV, right? No way he’s out, right? RIGHT? Of course right. TOP 24.

TEAM HEEJUN!

Jessica Sanchez: I love this girl’s power. It reminds me, just a bit, of Jennifer Hudson. (And in my eyes, that’s a huge plus.) Not crazy about her singing The Prayer for her final solo, but it’s a no-brainer. She has a truly special voice. TOP 24.

Phil Phillips: He’s in, of course. Not sure if I agree. TOP 24.

Colton Dixon: Back for another shot, and it would be beyond cruel to send him home at the same point again. Colton has a powerful voice, but he tends to make really mediocre song choices. Let’s fix that. TOP 24.

Brielle Von Hugel: I get a bit of a Toddlers & Tiaras vibe from her, and that last solo — Killing Me Softly — felt over-rehearsed and overdone. There’s power there, but she needs to get rid of that stage mom. TOP 24.

Adam Brock: Danny Gokey, with ten times less relevance. AND FADE OUT. (I really wouldn’t be upset if he was gone.)